A new independent company has been established to secure the future of the Belfast Festival and to deliver the 2015 edition.

This new chapter in the Festival’s history sees itself renamed as the “Ulster Bank Belfast International Arts Festival” with a diverse and eclectic programme of events which will run from Friday 9th October to Sunday 1st November.

The Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix has announced that a record number of entries are set to compete in the world’s fastest road race this August, with more than 170 riders representing 17 countries across the world.

Some of the biggest names in real road racing are already confirmed that they will be on the grid, including fan favourite Guy Martin and local hero Michael Dunlop, who line up alongside racers Ian Hutchinson, Dean Harrison, Lee Johnston and William Dunlop to name but a few.

The event, which is one of only three international road races in the world, will also see around 50,000 spectators visit the Dundrod circuit over the course of Bike Week.

Belfast Waterfront has appointed five more staff to meet the increasing demand for its new world class conference facility opening in Spring 2016.

Doubling the venue’s event space to 7,000m2 and enhancing its technology capabilities has facilitated the return of many events as well as seen a significant increase of bookings from international associations. Even before Belfast Waterfront opens the doors to the new facility, it has already secured 50 conferences for 2016 to 2021, which will bring over 43,000 delegates to the city, generating a welcome 94,000 delegate days.

Trading Standards is calling on local people to expose scams and help stop more people from falling prey to clever cons that fleece them of thousands of pounds.

Scams Awareness Month runs throughout July and this year’s campaign "Don't be Rushed, Don't be Hushed" aims to highlight how scams continue to flourish when people stay silent.

The national campaign will be supported locally by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service.

The campaign is asking people to keep two things in mind whenever they receive an unsolicited approach or when looking for goods or services: don’t be rushed and don’t be hushed. People should take their time making a decision and be sure of their facts before parting with money or personal information, and speak out when they think they’ve spotted a scam.